Interviews: Science Made Us Robots

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Punk band Science Made Us Robots from the UK. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name?

We were in the pub and wrote down all the band name ideas we had. Science Made Us Robots was the only one we could agree on, so you can imagine how bad the rest of them were.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Because it’s at the core of who we are. We’ve got a lot of love for older bands like the Undertones, but the wave of US punk that hit the UK around 1995 was amazing, and is as outstanding today as it ever was… Green Day - Dookie, Rancid – And Out Come the Wolves, Bad Religion - Stranger Than Fiction, Offspring - Smash, NOFX - Punk In Drublic… Absolutely incredible, and we hope to add something worthwhile to the list.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Our band members have changed a lot over the years. Original members Paul and Fin went to school together. Fin doesn’t play in the band anymore, but he still helps out with artwork, and he runs Forgotten Sons Apparel these days. Paul is on guitar and vocals now instead of drums. Paul knew new drummer Mads through work but didn’t ask her to jam for years, which was a big mistake. We found Chris through Facebook, and then Nic did the same. Although we all live around Edinburgh, it turned out that Nic and Paul were originally from a mile apart down in Doncaster. Small world.

4. Each band member’s favorite band?

Paul: Rancid or Faith No More. Depends on the day.

Mads: Smashing Pumpkins

Chris: Green Day and Metallica

Nic: Fuzigish and Hog Hoggidy Hog

5. Who or What inspires you to write songs?

Writing songs is like cheap therapy. You find some dark stuff inside yourself or something in a situation that you want to explore. The eventual lyrics tend to be pretty opaque by the time the song’s done, but they can really be about anything. Part of the challenge is trying to make a consistent thread through each verse and chorus, so it’s saying something, but maybe not too much. Paul here - I tend to write my best stuff after I’ve been ill. No idea why that is, but I always try to pick up a guitar after being bad for a few days. The mind’s a weird thing.

6. Where was your last gig?

The Twa Tams in Perth, Scotland. It was our first time trying to play A LOT of songs. We managed 25. It was a fun gig, but not too many feet on the ground because of the floods that day. Still, we got in early and most of us managed to sit down for some food together, which is a nice pre-gig thing we try to do… It’s good to hang out that way and spend some time together without all the volume of gigs or a rehearsal room – more of a family thing.

7. Where would you like to act? Act?

Nowhere. But play… Brixton Academy. Like, as a support act obviously. And to get back down to the New Cross Inn where so many of SMURs early gigs were.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We’re pretty happy playing with anyone, and it’s great being on a bill with some decent bands because then you’ve got a proper night out. Dreams though? Any of the old school really – Rancid, Less Than Jake, Green Day, Living End, Bad Religion…. The list is long.

9. Whom not?

On an individual level, pretty much everyone is cool, but there’s one type of gig that really sucks… Until you get reasonably established, you end up playing a lot of shows with bands that have absolutely nothing to do with your own genre. And it’s as bad for them bringing a shoegaze or jazz crowd or whatever, as it is for you playing punk and trying to give your people a good night…. Much better for everyone to be playing with bands of a similar style, and better for the venues too, because folk can get an idea of what a particular promoter does, and then they’ll want to come back week after week and stay for the whole night!

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Absolutely. For three out of four of us, a generous dose of ethanol tends to get things rolling, but your own milage should probably vary. What’s really important though, is understanding that you’re playing to a crowd, but for yourself. It’s absolutely vital that you find a way of connecting with the emotions of the music before you get on stage, and that you stay connected with it while you play. People call it ‘performing’ but it’s not really that, because performing implies that there’s acting going in. There shouldn’t be – and that’s why a few wrong notes and forgotten words don’t matter. It’s about connecting with the music that your band writes, and the way that your buddies in the band play it. If that’s all solid and you’re all feeling it, then the crowd will absolutely get it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Paul: For me the 90s punks. I actually got into heavier music earlier on, and that probably shines through a bit on our Rats & Swans album, but most of my writing these days is pop punk. If you’ve listened to anything from Green Day, NOFX, or Rancid in the last 30 years, then Science Made Us Robots probably isn’t going to be a surprise, but maybe you’ll like the accents.

12. What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

I think we had a hen night come in once and ask for a Justin Beiber song. That was a bit odd. We’ve also had people request our acoustic song, which is great of them, but logistically it means remembering where to put a capo.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Fantastic, other than their taste in music. No idea what they’re thinking.

14. What do you think of our site?

Very cool. Digging the Female Fronted Spotify playlist and the Discover Bands From section. Did not realize Iraq and Kyrgyzstan had so much to offer. Nice work.

15. Something to add?

Thanks for having us… If you want to check us out, our albums Paper Bones and Rats & Swans are on Spotify etc and come see us live and say hello. We’re heading into the studio to do a couple of tracks over the next few months, and plan to have a new album out in 2024.